System for multi-protocol open radio access network

Abstract

A multi-protocol open radio access network system comprises a service management and arrangement device and a near real-time radio access network intelligent controller. The service management and orchestration equipment comprises a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller comprises a first multi-protocol interface, and the first multi-protocol interface is used for receiving a plurality of first packets corresponding to different communication protocols and formatting the plurality of first packets to generate a plurality of first formatted data. The near real-time radio access network intelligent controller is connected to the service management and arrangement device, and the near real-time radio access network intelligent controller comprises a second multi-protocol interface which is used for receiving a plurality of second packets corresponding to different communication protocols and formatting the plurality of second packets to generate a plurality of second formatted data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for a multi-protocol open radio access network. Background Art

[0002] The use of 5G open architecture to implement 5G private networks and apply them in smart factory scenarios is gradually becoming a mainstream consensus. 5G's open architecture primarily adheres to the interface standards defined by the international Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) organization and utilizes the 5G Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system for base station management and optimization.

[0003] However, in the existing 5G open radio access network architecture, the open radio access network can only communicate with 5G devices and cannot be integrated and connected with existing IoT devices, making unified supervision impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention provides a system for a multi-protocol open radio access network that solves the above problems.

[0005] A system for a multi-protocol open radio access network (MRAN) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a service management and orchestration device and a near-real-time (NRAR) RAN intelligent controller. The MRAN includes a non-real-time (NRAR) RAN intelligent controller, wherein the non-real-time (NRAR) RAN intelligent controller includes a first MRAN interface configured to receive a plurality of first packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the first packets to generate a plurality of first formatted data. The NRAR RAN intelligent controller is connected to the MRAN and includes a second MRAN interface configured to receive a plurality of second packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the second packets to generate a plurality of second formatted data.

[0006] In summary, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a multi-protocol open radio access network system, in addition to the existing interfaces of the service management and orchestration device, can integrate and connect with external devices (e.g., user equipment and IoT devices) using other communication protocols. Therefore, in addition to communication devices within the 5G network architecture, the service management and orchestration device can also manage other non-5G communication devices and integrate IoT device information, thereby obtaining more comprehensive device information and enabling unified monitoring of both 5G and non-5G communication devices. Furthermore, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the multi-protocol open radio access network system, since the first multi-protocol interface can be used to communicate directly with the first device and the second multi-protocol interface can be used to communicate directly with the second device, the first device and the second device can output data directly to the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller, respectively, without going through a base station. This reduces the workload of the base station and improves the efficiency of data transmission to the service management and orchestration device.

[0007] The above description of the disclosed contents and the following description of the embodiments are intended to demonstrate and explain the spirit and principles of the present invention, and to provide further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 FIG1 is a block diagram of a system of a multi-protocol open radio access network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2A FIG1 is a block diagram of a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2B FIG1 is a block diagram of a near real-time radio access network intelligent controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a system of a multi-protocol open radio access network according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 FIG2 is an architecture diagram of a multi-protocol open radio access network system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Explanation of symbols

[0014] 1,2,3: Multi-protocol open radio access network system

[0015] 1A, 2A, 3A: Service management and orchestration equipment

[0016] 11,21,31: Non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller

[0017] 110, 210, 310: First multi-protocol interface

[0018] 110a, 110b: first sub-interface

[0019] 110c: first data processing module

[0020] 111,311: First Database

[0021] 211,312: First customized application

[0022] 12,22,32: Near real-time radio access network intelligent controller

[0023] 120, 220, 320: Second multi-protocol interface

[0024] 120a, 120b: Second sub-interface

[0025] 120c: Second data processing module

[0026] 121,321: Second database

[0027] 221,322: Second customized application

[0028] 33: Base Station

[0029] 301: Dashboard

[0030] I1: First interface

[0031] I2: Second interface

[0032] I3: The third interface

[0033] D1: Heterogeneous Wireless Devices

[0034] D2: IoT Devices DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following detailed description of the features and advantages of the present invention is provided in the following embodiments. This description is sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. Furthermore, based on the disclosure, claims, and figures of this specification, anyone skilled in the art can readily understand the relevant objectives and advantages of the present invention. The following examples further illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 ,in Figure 1FIG1 is a block diagram of a multi-protocol open radio access network (O-RAN) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, a multi-protocol open radio access network system 1 includes a service management and orchestration (SMO) device 1A and a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC) 12. The SMO device 1A includes a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC) 11. The SMO device 1A is connected to the near-real-time RAN intelligent controller 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 11 includes a first multi-protocol interface (MPI) 110, and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 12 includes a second multi-protocol interface 120. The first multi-protocol interface 110 is configured to receive a plurality of first packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the first packets to generate a plurality of first formatted data. The second multi-protocol interface 120 is configured to receive a plurality of second packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the second packets to generate a plurality of second formatted data.

[0038] For example, the first multi-protocol interface 110 may support at least two of the following protocols: Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (RESTful), Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), WebSockets, TR069, and Kafka. The second multi-protocol interface 120 may support at least two of the following protocols: Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (RESTful), Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), WebSockets, TR069, and Kafka. Thus, the first and second multi-protocol interfaces 110 and 120 can communicate with the connected terminal devices using the corresponding communication protocols.

[0039] In other words, in Figure 1 In the architecture, the first multi-protocol interface 110 can be used to connect to a first device, which may include a user equipment and an Internet of Things (IoT) device, such as an artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) device. The second multi-protocol interface 120 can be used to connect to a second device, which may include a heterogeneous wireless device, i.e., a heterogeneous wireless device connected to a local area network with a different operating system. Furthermore, when communication between the first multi-protocol interface 110 and the first device is interrupted, the first multi-protocol interface 110 can be reconnected to the first device. Similarly, when communication between the second multi-protocol interface 120 and the second device is interrupted, the second multi-protocol interface 120 can be reconnected to the second device.

[0040] through Figure 1 In addition to the existing interfaces of the service management and orchestration equipment (for example, the A1 interface for communication between the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller, and the O1 interface for fault, configuration, accounting, performance, security (FCAPS)), the service management and orchestration equipment can integrate and connect with external devices (such as user equipment and IoT devices) using other communication protocols. Therefore, in addition to the communication devices within the 5G network architecture, the service management and orchestration equipment can also manage other non-5G communication devices and integrate IoT device information, thereby obtaining more comprehensive device information and unified supervision of 5G and non-5G communication devices.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A As shown, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 11 includes a plurality of first sub-interfaces 110a and 110b and a first data processing module 110c. The first sub-interfaces 110a and 110b are connected to the first data processing module 110c. The first sub-interfaces 110a and 110b each support different communication protocols and can be implemented using an application programming interface (API). Furthermore, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 11 may further include a first database 111 connected to the first data processing module 110c. The first data processing module 110c can be implemented as a software application, such as a decoder.

[0042] First sub-interfaces 110a and 110b are respectively configured to receive the first packets, and first data processing module 110c is configured to format the first packets to generate the plurality of first formatted data. In other words, first sub-interface 110a is configured to receive first packets corresponding to one communication protocol, while first sub-interface 110b is configured to receive first packets corresponding to another communication protocol. First data processing module 110c is configured to unify the formats of the first packets corresponding to the different communication protocols to generate first formatted data corresponding to the first packets of first sub-interface 110a and first formatted data corresponding to the first packets of first sub-interface 110b. After generating the first formatted data, first data processing module 110c may store the first formatted data in first database 111.

[0043] In one embodiment, a user may configure a device configuration of a user device in the first data processing module 110 c (e.g., providing connection information, authorization information, and protocol type to the first multi-protocol interface 110 ). The first data processing module 110 c may then connect to the user device according to the device configuration and obtain device data from the user device. The first data processing module 110 c may store the device data in the first database 111 according to routing rules.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2B , Figure 2B FIG1 is a block diagram of a near real-time radio access network intelligent controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B As shown, the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 12 includes a plurality of second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b and a second data processing module 120c. The second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b are connected to the second data processing module 120c. The second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b each support different communication protocols and can be implemented using an application programming interface (API). Furthermore, the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 12 may further include a second database 121 connected to the second data processing module 120c. The second data processing module 120c can be implemented using a software application, such as a decoder.

[0045] Second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b are respectively configured to receive the second packets, and second data processing module 120c is configured to format the second packets to generate the plurality of second formatted data. In other words, second sub-interface 120a is configured to receive second packets corresponding to one communication protocol, while second sub-interface 120b is configured to receive second packets corresponding to another communication protocol. Second data processing module 120c is configured to unify the formats of the second packets corresponding to the different communication protocols to generate second formatted data corresponding to the second packets received from second sub-interface 120a and second formatted data corresponding to the second packets received from second sub-interface 120b. After generating the second formatted data, second data processing module 120c may store the second formatted data in second database 121.

[0046] exist Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the embodiment, the first sub-interfaces 110a and 110b are at least partially identical to the second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b. That is, at least one of the first sub-interfaces 110a and 110b may be identical to at least one of the second sub-interfaces 120a and 120b. Figure 2A and Figure 2B , two sub-interfaces are shown, however, the first multi-protocol interface of the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller may include more than two sub-interfaces, and the second multi-protocol interface of the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller may include more than two sub-interfaces, and the number of sub-interfaces of the first multi-protocol interface may be the same as or different from the number of sub-interfaces of the second multi-protocol interface. For example, the first sub-interface and the second sub-interface may each include an application programming interface representing at least two of the following protocols: state transfer, message queue telemetry transmission, simple network management protocol, network socket, TR069 protocol, and Kafka protocol.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 3 ,in Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-protocol open radio access network system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, a multi-protocol open radio access network system 2 includes a service management and orchestration device 2A and a near real-time radio access network intelligent controller 22. The service management and orchestration device 2A includes a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 21. The service management and orchestration device 2A is connected to the near real-time radio access network intelligent controller 22.

[0048] Furthermore, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 21 includes a first multi-protocol interface 210 and a first customized application 211, and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 22 includes a second multi-protocol interface 220 and a second customized application 221. The implementation of the first multi-protocol interface 210 can be similar to that of the reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A The one or more embodiments described are the same, and the implementation of the second multi-protocol interface 220 can be the same as that of the reference Figure 1 and Figure 2B The one or more embodiments described are the same, so the details of the first multi-protocol interface 210 and the second multi-protocol interface 220 are not repeated here.

[0049] The first customized application 211 is, for example, a rAPP. The first customized application 211 can connect to the first multi-protocol interface 210 to receive the first formatted data. Furthermore, the first customized application 211 can establish a connection and communicate with the aforementioned first device through the first multi-protocol interface 210.

[0050] The second customized application 221 is, for example, an xAPP. The second customized application 221 can connect to the second multi-protocol interface 220 to receive the second formatted data. Furthermore, the second customized application 221 can establish a connection and communicate with the aforementioned second device through the second multi-protocol interface 220.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 4 ,in Figure 4 FIG1 is an architecture diagram of a multi-protocol open radio access network system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, a multi-protocol open radio access network system 3 includes a service management and orchestration device 3A, a near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32, and a base station 33. The service management and orchestration device 3A includes a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 and a dashboard 301, wherein the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 is connected to the dashboard 301. The service management and orchestration device 3A is connected to the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32.

[0052] The service management and orchestration device 3A can be connected to the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 via a first interface I1. The near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 can be connected to the base station 33 via a second interface I2. The service management and orchestration device 3A can be connected to the base station 33 via a third interface I3. The first interface I1 can be an interface for communication between the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32, such as an A1 interface; the second interface I2 can be an interface for communication between the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 and the base station 33, such as an E1 interface (also referred to as an E2 node); and the third interface I3 can be an interface for fault, configuration, audit, performance, and security control, such as an O1 interface.

[0053] The dashboard 301 may be implemented as a software application and may be used to present the operational status of the service management and orchestration device 3A, such as the connection status of the first interface I1 , the second interface I2 , and the third interface I3 .

[0054] The base station 33 may be an open radio access network base station, including a base station (gNB), a distributed unit (DU), a central unit (CU) and a radio unit (RU).

[0055] The non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 includes a first multi-protocol interface 310, a first database 311, and a first customized application 312. The near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 includes a second multi-protocol interface 320, a second database 321, and a second customized application 322. The implementation of the first multi-protocol interface 310 can be similar to that of the reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A The first multi-protocol interface described in one or more embodiments is the same, and the second multi-protocol interface 320 can be implemented in the same manner as in reference Figure 1 and Figure 2B The second multi-protocol interface described in one or more embodiments is the same; the implementation of the first database 311 can be the same as that of reference Figure 2A The first database described in one or more embodiments is the same, and the second database 321 can be implemented in the same manner as in reference Figure 2B The first customized application 312 and the second customized application 322 may be implemented in the same manner as described in the second database; Figure 3 One or more embodiments of the first customized application 211 and the second customized application 221 are the same and therefore will not be described again.

[0056] Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the first multi-protocol interface 310 of the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 can be used to connect to the IoT device D2, i.e., the aforementioned first device. The second multi-protocol interface 320 of the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 can be used to connect to the heterogeneous wireless device D1, i.e., the aforementioned second device.

[0057] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 31 may be pre-configured to determine, based on the configuration, whether to output the first formatted data to the first database 311 and / or the first customized application 312. Similarly, the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller 32 may be pre-configured to determine, based on the configuration, whether to output the second formatted data to the second database 321 and / or the second customized application 322.

[0058] In summary, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a multi-protocol open radio access network system, in addition to the existing interfaces of the service management and orchestration equipment (e.g., the A1 interface and the O1 interface), can integrate and connect with external devices (e.g., user equipment and IoT devices) using other communication protocols. Therefore, in addition to communication devices within the 5G network architecture, the service management and orchestration equipment can also manage other non-5G communication devices and integrate IoT device information, thereby obtaining more comprehensive device information and enabling unified management of both 5G and non-5G communication devices. Furthermore, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the multi-protocol open radio access network system, since the first multi-protocol interface can be used to communicate directly with the first device and the second multi-protocol interface can be used to communicate directly with the second device, the first device and the second device can output data directly to the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller and the near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller, respectively, without going through a base station. This reduces the workload of the base station and improves the efficiency of data transmission to the service management and orchestration equipment.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-protocol open radio access network system of the present invention can be applied to a system consisting of a 5G private network and a 5G small base station.

[0060] While the present invention has been described above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and variations that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Please refer to the attached claims for the scope of protection defined by the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for a multi-protocol open radio access network, characterized in that: Include: A service management and orchestration device includes a non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller, wherein the non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller includes a first multi-protocol interface, wherein the first multi-protocol interface is configured to receive a plurality of first packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the first packets to generate a plurality of first formatted data; as well as A near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller is connected to the service management and orchestration device. The near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller includes a second multi-protocol interface, wherein the second multi-protocol interface is used to receive a plurality of second packets corresponding to different communication protocols and format the second packets to generate a plurality of second formatted data.

2. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that in The first multi-protocol interface includes a plurality of first sub-interfaces and a first data processing module. The first data processing module is connected to the first sub-interfaces. The first sub-interfaces are respectively used to receive the first packets. The first data processing module is used to format the first packets to generate the first formatted data. The second multi-protocol interface includes a plurality of second sub-interfaces and a second data processing module. The second data processing module is connected to the second sub-interfaces. The second sub-interfaces are respectively used to receive the second packets. The second data processing module is used to format the second packets to generate the second formatted data.

3. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first sub-interfaces and the second sub-interfaces are at least partially identical.

4. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 2, characterized in that: in The non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller further includes a first database connected to the first data processing module, the first database is used to store the first formatted data, and The near real-time radio access network intelligent controller further includes a second database connected to the second data processing module. The second database is used to store the second formatted data.

5. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-real-time radio access network intelligent controller further includes a customized application connected to the first multi-protocol interface to receive the first formatted data.

6. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The near real-time radio access network intelligent controller further includes a customized application connected to the second multi-protocol interface to receive the second formatted data.

7. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first multi-protocol interface supports at least two of presentation state transmission, message queue telemetry transmission, simple network management protocol, network socket, TR069 protocol and Kafka protocol, and the second multi-protocol interface supports at least two of presentation state transmission, message queue telemetry transmission, simple network management protocol, network socket, TR069 protocol and Kafka protocol.

8. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first multi-protocol interface is further used to connect to an Internet of Things device.

9. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second multi-protocol interface is further used to connect to a heterogeneous wireless device.

10. The system of multi-protocol open radio access network according to claim 1, characterized in that: in The first multi-protocol interface is further used to connect to an IoT device and reconnect to the IoT device when communication with the IoT device is interrupted, and The second multi-protocol interface is further used to connect to a heterogeneous wireless device and to reconnect to the heterogeneous wireless device when communication with the heterogeneous wireless device is interrupted.

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